Tetanic Symptoms from the use of Iodide of Potassium. By
D. P. Phillips, M. D., Passed Assistant Surgeon, U. S. N.
(Communicated by Prof. Dunglison.)
A case of some singularity having occurred under my own ob-
servation, and thinking that it might not be devoid of interest to
you, I have concluded briefly to give its history.
Whilst Acting Surgeon of theU. S. Ship Massachusetts, a fire-
man, named J. White, was admitted upon my sick list with
rheumatism. I ordered the administration of iodide of potassium,
grs. viii. ter in die, to be taken before meals in a spoonful of
water. Soon after commencing with the remedy (probably the
second day) he complained of some uneasiness and stiffness in the
jaws; but supposing it to be some trivial affair, I paid but little
attention to it. On the next day the difficulty had increased,
and I directed frictions V'ith some stimulating liniment; but
when I saw him the day after, the jaws were immoveable. Upon
careful inquiry, I ascertained that ever since he had been using
the iodide he had experienced a burning and uneasy sensation in
the oesophagus and stomach. Upon learning this I discontinued
the medicine, and ordered counter-irritation over the stomach.
In a few days the tetanic symptoms entirely disappeared, and the
iodide of potassium was renewed, but diluted in a tumbler half
full of water, and given after each meal. The patient entirely
recovered from rheumatism, and had no return of the trismus. I
attributed the unusual symptoms entirely to the use of iodide of
potassium in too concentrated a form.